Are Winchester Cannons any good?

[myronw]

Hi guys,

My wife lets me choose my own Christmas presents, and I wondered if any of you have any experience with the ten gauge blank firing cannons...  If they are worth having, who would you buy one from?  I just ordered a small item from Cannon-Mania and haven't been thrilled with his service.

Thanks,

Myron

[Double D]

Myron,

I don't know anything about the 10 guage signal guns.  Perhaps someone else on the board who does will speak up.  

i do beleive the Winchester name is used by license.  

Let me look around and see if I can find out more about them.

Do you want to tell us more about your problem with cannon mania?

[willysjeep134]

On Mackinac Island at Fort Mackinac the boyscout honor guard uses one of those WRACO cannons to fire a shot just before the bugle call for morning and evening flags every day, all summer. The first cannon they had served from I would guess the 1940's to about 2001, when the pin that the breech block hinges on fell out. The identical replacement is now in service.

The elevation screw is really like a limiter screw. When you pull the lanyard the hammer snaps forward, and the pull from the lanyard points the muzzle at the dirt. All the screw does is limit how high the muzzle can go, I think it's just there for looks. The 10 gauge blanks we use are louder than the quarter-size saluting charge the fort soldiers fire from their 6 pounders! They work well for making noise, but I wouldn't try to fire a slug from one or anything like that.

[Cat Whisperer]

Hi guys,

My wife lets me choose my own Christmas presents, and I wondered if any of you have any experience with the ten gauge blank firing cannons...  If they are worth having, who would you buy one from?  I just ordered a small item from Cannon-Mania and haven't been thrilled with his service.

Thanks,

Myron

They've been around for a LONG, LONG time; they command a high price and they're still being sold.

That's the limit of my knowledge.

[Blaster]

Hi guys,

My wife lets me choose my own Christmas presents, and I wondered if any of you have any experience with the ten gauge blank firing cannons...  If they are worth having, who would you buy one from?  I just ordered a small item from Cannon-Mania and haven't been thrilled with his service.

Thanks,

Myron

Myron, I have one of these little Winchester (no longer made by Winchester) salute cannons but I have only fired two rounds with it.  It is the 10 gauge with a black painted iron carriage with brass barrel.  It's a heavy duty little blank shooter but since it is mounted on wheels, you shouldn't pull the lanyard cord too hard or you'll pull the gun back towards you unless you block it.  I feel there's really not much to break or wear out on these salute shooters.
I bought mine from Kansas Cannon Works and this firm is in our resource
listing.  This little gun is quite L O U D !!  Be sure to let us know what your decision is in the selection of your Christmas gift.  Blaster (Bob in So. CO)

[Will Bison]

Many years ago I had an original Winchester cannon. Very serviceable construction. 10 gauge blanks were not available so I loaded my own from whatever empty cases I could find. As I recall an empty 45-70 case served as a powder measure and I used two full cases of 2f.

The report is substantial considering the small size of the gun. They are not made for ball and are so stamped. When fired with a blank the recoil will roll the gun back a good distance.

When I examined one of the new made guns I was impressed with the overall quality. They make a handsome display item for an office or den.

Bill